Officials Urge Cautious Travel During Spring Flooding


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 25, 2011
Contact: Terry Woster,Public Information Officer, 605.773.3231
            
   Officials Urge Cautious Travel During Spring Flooding
 
PIERRE, S.D. – State officials are asking citizens to be especially alert to flood-related changes in road conditions as they travel this weekend.
 
Many county and township roads are closed because of flooding and many others have water on or near the driving surface. Water levels could change rapidly during the weekend, both because of ongoing flooding and because of ice jams on rivers and streams.
 
“A road that might have been passable one day could have water running over it the next day,’’ says Darin Bergquist, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Transportation. “With all of the flooding South Dakota is experiencing, conditions can change almost without warning. We know many people plan to travel to a variety of activities during the weekend. They just need to be alert to the road and weather conditions.’’
 
Bergquist said travelers should be especially alert at night, when it becomes very difficult to judge the condition of the road ahead.
 
For the latest road condition information, dial 511 or visit www.safetravelusa.com.
 
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